People with Alzheimer’s Disease express spirituality through art

Who am I? And what is life all about?

These basic spiritual questions are no less important for people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, according to Bonnie Bollwinkel, licensed clinical social worker and consultant with the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California.

“It’s easy to respond to people with dementia in a way that discounts them,” she said. “Yet, it’s still necessary — precisely because they are losing their sense of self — to be able to touch on and engage the essence of their being.”

For example, people without dementia might pray or sing a familiar hymn to calm and bring a sense of belonging if spiritual practice is part of their everyday life, Bollwinkel said.

Although spiritual practices may not be a part of everyday life for people with dementia, they still need to feel reassured and cared for in a way that touches their soul, according to John Timbs, a licensed marriage and family therapist and the Alzheimer’s Association’s family care specialist.

“Alzheimer’s changes a person’s ability to express spirituality,” he said. “They often return to a more childlike model of love based on receiving rather than reciprocating,” he said. “But just because they have lost the ability to say ‘thank you,’ doesn’t mean that love is gone.”

Timbs and Bollwinkel will teach a workshop at the Wellness Center in November on supporting the spiritual needs of people with dementia. Timbs will offer examples of art used to identify spiritual responses, and Bollwinkel will provide a list of eight spiritual needs including connection, respect and compassion.

“If we look at life as a jigsaw puzzle, then people with Alzheimer’s have had the pieces thrown into the air,” she said. “It’s our job as caregivers or care partners to keep as many of the pieces together and fill in the holes where we can.”

Incorporating spirituality can provide support to caregivers or care partners as well, Timbs said. “We’re not just talking about ‘feel-good’ spirituality where all is well. These are tools to help people get through difficulties and look for hope.”

“The Journey Within: Supporting the Spiritual Needs of Persons With Dementia,” will be held during the 15th Annual Alzheimer’s Caregiver Forum cosponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association and the Wellness Center Thursday, Nov. 13, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Admission is free. Community resource information also will be available.

Call 696–5600 for details.